We love our pets just as much as our family members. But you need to be very sure that you will be able to get emergency veterinary care from an emergency clinic, and one you can trust.
Emergency pet care is an area that is seriously underdeveloped. Even after doing a huge amount of research, we’ve still had a nightmare finding the best emergency vet online. We’ve had to spend a significant amount of money on our pets, including two emergency treatments and two-day stays at our local vet.
So we’ve decided to share our experience with you to save you a lot of time and money.
The key problem here is that all vet websites are competing for your attention – and money – by trying to convince you that they are the best. In the end, they are only as good as the care that they provide for their patients. Here’s our advice on how to find the best emergency vets online:
Determine if you need a primary or an emergency vet.
Many emergency vets will only see emergencies, which is what they want you to think. But some will accept emergencies and perform urgent procedures, too. A general rule is that you should go to an emergency vet if you think your pet is seriously ill or injured so that they can give immediate treatment.
But you can also go to an emergency vet if you think your pet is going to die without treatment. Your vet will be able to give you a more detailed diagnosis and will give your pet the care they need to survive.
Choose your vet carefully.
The first thing to do is to choose your vet carefully and do your research. We checked the website of about 500 vets across the UK and found only five which were reliable, with good online reviews.
There are more on our best vet website and best vet websites rankings. Also try dog and cat breeders, as they are another source for emergency vets.
Don’t assume that you have a choice in terms of finding an emergency vet.
You might feel like the only option is to turn up at your local clinic, but the reality is that you could find yourself waiting for weeks. The vets who are less busy might accept your case more quickly than others. O r they might also be able to see your pet while it’s waiting.
There’s a distinct possibility that you could end up waiting days or weeks before getting treatment. Which is why it is so important that you find an emergency vet with great online reviews.
No matter how your pet ends up being treated. Always make sure that you consult a vet as soon as possible. Your pet may need to stay in the hospital for up to 24 hours. Or it could be necessary to pay for emergency treatment yourself.
Check that you can contact your emergency vet.
When you go to your local vet. Are you entitled to be informed of the emergency vet’s opening hours? What about their address? Is there any way to phone or email the emergency vet?
We’ve even found a few veterinary clinics that don’t allow you to visit your animal at all. You must only go to the emergency vet if you are unable to get hold of the emergency vet yourself.
There are some vets who will allow you to call them via the numbers they provide on their websites. But that’s not always the case. We’ve also found emergency vet websites that will email you after hours and days.
Choose your vet carefully.
Our veterinary service has set up a private website so that our clients can meet and discuss any medical queries with a panel of emergency vet professionals.
You will also get support when it comes to paying for emergency care for your pet, as the site features a cost calculator to help you work out what the treatment costs will be.
We are only able to do this because we spend a significant amount of time attending to emergencies. This is also why you should choose a vet with excellent online reviews. The company which provides a service shouldn’t be the same one providing the product. So it’s good to see which vets are rated best by their clients.
We think that all vet websites should provide their customers with the same level of support so that we can make your search for a good vet easier.
Should I visit an emergency vet if I need to?
You should always be fully prepared for the worst, so if you do visit an emergency vet. There are a few things you should consider. Your pet’s regular vet should be called before you visit an emergency vet.
When you make an appointment with an emergency vet. It’s likely that you will be asked to bring your pet with you. The emergency vet is unlikely to have a clinic at the other end of the country, so if you do need to take your pet in, you will need to get there somehow.
They might even ask for a piece of your pet’s pet carrier. Just in case you need to make an emergency landing.
You will also need to be prepared to give information to the emergency vet. When you visit your regular vet, you are normally given a form to fill in for each routine check-up. You should still give this to the emergency vet as you would to any other doctor or hospital.
The emergency vet will probably ask for a referral letter. And this will need to be faxed to the clinic that your regular vet is referring you to.
If your pet is seriously ill. You will be asked to bring an X-ray or scan of your pet to the emergency vet, just in case. Always consult your regular vet before going to an emergency vet. So that you know exactly what they will need before making a decision.
Can I go to an emergency vet if my regular vet can’t treat my pet?
Unfortunately, emergency vets will be very busy when a pet comes into their care. You should always try to consult your regular vet before visiting an emergency vet. Even if your pet is in a lot of pain or they suspect that your pet has broken a limb.
If you don’t feel comfortable with your regular vet’s diagnosis, always think about whether you can get a second opinion. The internet is full of veterinarians who are willing to provide you with expert advice.
Our private website is specifically designed to help you see a vet urgently. When you are unable to get hold of one at a normal time. Our vets work extremely hard, but they need your support. Our emergency vets will always act with your best interests in mind. But they still have an important job to do.
Can I get more information on my pet’s condition from an emergency vet website?
There are many different emergency vet websites out there. These websites are there to help people like you and us. If you have a pet who is suffering from an emergency. These websites are designed to help you find a vet who can help.
The emergency vet websites might give you lots of information about the condition of your pet. These websites will provide information about the symptoms and any medical treatments that your vet might suggest.
Other websites will link you to different emergency vets so that you can find the right one for you. You will then be able to ask questions about the condition of your pet and choose the right emergency vet.
You can also try a free online tool called Vicious.
What if I’ve already made an appointment with an emergency vet. And I’m still worried about my pet? If you are worried about your pet, and you can’t get a hold of your regular vet. Or you feel your regular vet’s diagnosis is wrong. You can always talk to our emergency vets. If you prefer to speak to a real person over the phone. You can also call the emergency vet advice line on 0141 2605555.
You can speak to a veterinary nurse or veterinarian on the emergency line. Or you can visit our website for a list of our contact numbers. Finally, you can also contact us by email at [email protected]. We are happy to speak with you about the condition of your pet at any time.
